Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joel P. Bensing, David Misch, Lukas Skerbisch, Reinhard F. Sachsenhofer
Summary: With the potential of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in depleted oil and gas reservoirs or deep saline aquifers, it is important to understand the changes to geological units caused by the interaction with injected hydrogen. This study reveals significant dissolution of calcite fossil fragments in claystone caprock proxies when treated with hydrogen and NaCl brine, a phenomenon observed for the first time in claystones. These findings highlight the need for hydrogen-specific studies of caprocks in areas proposed for UHS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lingping Zeng, Stephanie Vialle, Jonathan Ennis-King, Lionel Esteban, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh, Joel Sarout, Jeremie Dautriat, Ausama Giwelli, Quan Xie
Summary: Underground hydrogen storage in depleted gas reservoirs is a promising option for renewable energy storage. The effect of H2-brine-rock geochemical interactions on caprock integrity during long-term storage is still uncertain. We developed kinetic batch models and estimated hydrogen penetration into caprock to investigate this issue. Our results suggest that H2-brine-shale geochemical interactions are unlikely to compromise caprock integrity during underground hydrogen storage.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Si-Yong Lee, Farid Reza Mohamed, Kwang-Ho Lee, Brian Mcpherson, Robert Balch, Sangcheol Yoon
Summary: This study focuses on the probabilistic uncertainty assessment of geomechanical risk, specifically caprock failure due to CO2 injection. The study utilizes a multilaminate model, response surface model, numerical modeling experiments, and Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the risk. The findings highlight the importance of the Young modulus and mechanical strength properties in determining caprock integrity, and introduce the F value as a reliable indicator for caprock failure.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Oladoyin Kolawole, Ion Ispas, Mallika Kumar, Joachim Weber, Bo Zhao, Giovanni Zanoni
Summary: This study investigated how localized and bulk biogeomechanical alterations induced by microbial processes in shale formations can enhance the long-term caprock integrity and CO2 storage security, providing valuable insights for solving challenges in the long-term geological CO2 storage application in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Youngsoo Song, Sungjun Jun, Yoonsu Na, Kyuhyun Kim, Youngho Jang, Jihoon Wang
Summary: Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is the only viable method for reducing massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. However, the process poses geomechanical risks, such as caprock failure and induced seismicity, which may lead to environmental concerns and hinder public acceptance. This paper provides an overview of these risks, reviews their mechanisms and theories, and introduces relevant precedent studies. The study aims to enhance understanding of geomechanical risks during CCS and facilitate the optimal design of the process for public acceptance. Challenges related to handling these risks are also discussed.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lingping Zeng, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh, Ali Saeedi, Yongqiang Chen, Zhiqi Zhong, Quan Xie
Summary: This paper reviews the primary challenges associated with storage integrity in underground hydrogen storage within depleted gas reservoirs, including geochemical reactions, microbial activities, faults and fractures, and perspectives on hydrogen cycling. Additionally, a technical screening tool has been developed to provide practical solutions, and feasible methods and pathways to mitigate these risks are suggested.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Katarzyna Lubo, Radoslaw Tarkowski
Summary: Underground storage is a viable method for storing renewable energy as hydrogen. Determining the timing and amount of injected gas is crucial for the operation of such facilities. Modeling the injection of hydrogen into a deep aquifer helped assess the optimal flow rate and the benefits of extending the first filling period. Storage capacity increased with longer filling periods, and the recommended depth for hydrogen storage was found to be around 1200-1400 m.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Christoforos Benetatos, Felice Catania, Giorgio Giglio, Candido Fabrizio Pirri, Alice Raeli, Luciano Scaltrito, Cristina Serazio, Francesca Verga
Summary: This paper discusses the importance of underground fluid storage for balancing energy production and consumption, ensuring energy supply security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through CO2 geological sequestration. The authors developed a technology and methodology to monitor seabed movements and validate predictions of offshore underground fluid storage impacts. They integrated a measurement system into an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to periodically monitor seabed bathymetry and compared these measurements with numerical simulations to confirm safety conditions. The Virtual Element Method was applied to simulate the response of the storage system to fluid storage.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Williams Dias, Deane Roehl, Cristian Mejia, Paul Sotomayor
Summary: Over the years, reliance on petroleum-based fuels for energy has been challenged by global warming and an energy crisis. This has led to a growing interest in investing in renewable energy resources like hydrogen. This study focuses on the process of storing hydrogen in salt caverns, which offer relevant properties such as low permeability, creep, and self-healing. The research proposes a workflow for analyzing cavity integrity and explores the thermomechanical effects of hydrogen storage through different case studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alankaa Al-Harbi, Mohammed Al-Marri, Giuliano Carchini, Mohammed Saad, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein
Summary: This paper investigates the potential of shale gas reservoirs to store hydrogen upon demand, and explores the adsorption of hydrogen on the silica-kaolinite interface. Experimental investigations into the impact of temperature and pressure on hydrogen uptake are also conducted. The results show that hydrogen can be reversibly stored in these formations without adverse effects on the shale's structural integrity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Domenik Wolff-Boenisch, Cut Aja Fauziah, Stefan Iglauer
Summary: This study investigates the wetting ability of hydrogen on clay surfaces in the presence of brine. It found that all clay surfaces exhibited water-wetting behavior, which is beneficial for the injection and retrieval of hydrogen. However, the predominant water wettability of clays may lead to biogeochemical reactions and affect porosity and permeability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Ahmed Fatah, Lingping Zeng, Ammar Al-Ramadhan, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh, Quan Xie
Summary: Underground hydrogen storage is a promising technology for achieving a hydrogen economy and carbon net-zero energy transition. This study investigates the reactions between hydrogen and cement and their impact on cement integrity through hydrogen injection experiments. The results show low reactivity of hydrogen with cement and minor changes in the physical properties of cement. The increase in cement weight and density with hydrogen injection suggests a promotion of high density product precipitation but has limited impact on cement integrity, making it favorable for underground hydrogen storage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Pengcheng Fu, Xin Ju, Jixiang Huang, Randolph R. Settgast, Fang Liu, Joseph P. Morris
Summary: The study suggests that maintaining an open fracture in the carbon storage reservoir requires a continuous increase in pressure, with cooling near the well potentially reducing the fracture-opening pressure. However, the fracture propagation pressure is still dictated by processes in the far-field rock.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Seyed Hamidreza Yousefi, Remco Groenenberg, Joris Koornneef, Joaquim Juez-Larre, Mina Shahi
Summary: Underground hydrogen storage is critical for future hydrogen infrastructure to ensure supply flexibility and security. Storage in porous reservoirs should be used in combination with salt caverns to meet high storage capacity requirements. A case study of hydrogen storage in a depleted gas field in the Netherlands evaluated its techno-economic feasibility. The study assessed different surface facility designs and calculated the levelized cost of hydrogen storage. The study found that using nitrogen as cushion gas resulted in a lower cost of storage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gyu-Hyun Go, Van-Hoa Cao, YoungSeok Kim, Hyun-Jun Choi, Se-Wook Oh, Min-Jun Kim
Summary: Amid the global warming crisis, hydrogen energy is gaining attention as an environmentally friendly energy source. This study analyzes the effects of hydrogen gas explosions on nearby structures and proposes minimum separation distances to ensure structural stability.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Mengsu Hu, Jonny Rutqvist
Summary: This study presents multi-scale modeling capabilities developed based on the numerical manifold method for analyzing coupled hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rocks. Fractures are modeled as continua-finite-thickness porous zones, discontinua-discontinuous interfaces, and microscale asperities and granular systems based on their geometric features. The simulations demonstrate the significant contribution of contact dynamics to geometric, multi-physical evolution in rough fractures systems.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
D. W. Vasco, Sergey Samsonov, Kang Wang, Roland Burgmann, Pierre Jeanne, William Foxall, Yingqi Zhang
Summary: This study uses InSAR observations to estimate the displacements at a natural gas storage site in Honor Rancho, California. By removing the reservoir signal, the residuals are used to characterize the background variations and identify anomalies. The results show temporal and spatial variations in the residuals, with larger displacements observed in a southern alluvial valley.
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yingqi Zhang, Curtis M. Oldenburg, Quanlin Zhou, Lehua Pan, Barry M. Freifeld, Pierre Jeanne, Veronica Rodriguez Tribaldos, Donald W. Vasco
Summary: Ensuring the safety and integrity of underground gas storage (UGS) infrastructure is crucial for energy reliability in California and worldwide. The Integrated Risk Management and Decision Support System (IRMDSS) combines advanced monitoring and simulation technologies to provide real-time data and simulation tools to UGS operators, alerting them to potential failures, detecting early leakage, and supporting mitigation decision-making to prevent larger failures. The system can analyze temperature and pressure responses to hypothetical leaks, identify gas-water-contact depth, provide early warning signals, estimate leak rates, and support mitigation decisions.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iman Rahimzadeh Kivi, Estanislao Pujades, Jonny Rutqvist, Victor Vilarrasa
Summary: The study shows that thermal stresses resulting from water circulation through a doublet in a hot sedimentary aquifer can destabilize faults located far away from the doublet. Additionally, the timing of fault reactivation is mainly controlled by fault permeability, emphasizing the importance of employing appropriate characterization methods.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Xuhai Tang, Siji Tao, Ping Li, Jonny Rutqvist, Mengsu Hu, Lei Sun
Summary: In this study, the mechanisms of frost cracking as a result of freeze-thaw cycling, confining stress, and the interaction of multiple cracks were investigated using experimental, theoretical, and numerical approaches. The experimental and numerical results showed that frost cracks tend to propagate in the direction of maximum principal stress, and the position and orientation of initial cracks significantly influence the interaction effect between two frost cracks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Keurfon Luu, Martin Schoenball, Curtis M. Oldenburg, Jonny Rutqvist
Summary: This study uses a coupled multiphase fluid flow and geomechanical simulator to model the fluid pressure and stress changes during CO2 injection, and investigates the impact of CO2 injection on faults in crystalline basement rock. The results show that considering poroelastic stress changes is crucial for accurately modeling the seismicity rate.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Jiangmei Qiao, Xuhai Tang, Mengsu Hu, Jonny Rutqvist, Zhiyuan Liu
Summary: This study found that in carbonate fracture-cavity reservoirs, natural fractures have a dominant impact on the propagation of hydraulic fractures, followed by the influence of confining stress. These two factors are critical to the design of hydraulic fracturing in carbonate fracture-cavity reservoirs.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Xuhai Tang, Yiheng Zhang, Jingjing Xu, Jonny Rutqvist, Mengsu Hu, Zhengzhi Wang, Quansheng Liu
Summary: Scientists have developed a new method, using microscale rock mechanics experiments (micro-RME) results, to determine the macroscale mechanical properties of arbitrarily shaped granite. This method has been proven to be a breakthrough from the conventional technology of macro-RME by using test specimens from small and arbitrarily shaped rock fragments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Tsubasa Sasaki, Jonny Rutqvist
Summary: Safety assessment of geological nuclear waste repositories is essential. This study investigates the effect of time-dependent deformation of shale on the long-term integrity of a generic subsurface nuclear waste repository. Results suggest potential advantages of constructing repositories in high creep shale.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
H. Tounsi, J. Rutqvist, M. Hu, R. Wolters
Summary: This study analyses the flow of brine in rock salt using a fully coupled THM model that considers non-isothermal two-phase flow through deformable porous media. The experimental data and model predictions show good agreement, and suggest that it is important to consider the coupling between heating-and cooling-induced damage and flow properties to estimate brine inflow accurately. This modeling approach will be helpful for designing the cooling phase in salt repositories to minimize damage and brine inflow.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
I. R. Kivi, R. Y. Makhnenko, C. M. Oldenburg, J. Rutqvist, V. Vilarrasa
Summary: This study develops a computationally efficient transport model to investigate the dynamic process of the basin-wide upward migration of CO2 in a multi-layered geological environment. The results show that significant leaks of CO2 are unlikely to occur, ensuring the security of underground storage.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
J. J. Xu, Y. H. Zhang, J. Rutqvist, M. S. Hu, Z. Z. Wang, X. H. Tang
Summary: Understanding the thermal effects on rock is critical for geothermal resource exploration and understanding Earth's temperature-driven evolution. This study observed the thermal-induced microcrack propagation of granite in real time using an ultrahigh-temperature instrument on an optical microscope. The experimental results revealed that microcracks initiate at 300°C and coalesce between 400 and 600°C, which is the main reason for the sharp decrease in macroscale mechanical properties of granite.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Allan Katende, Jonny Rutqvist, Cody Massion, Mileva Radonjic
Summary: Global energy systems are transitioning to clean energy sources to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, necessitating the exploration and development of shale gas resources to support the global supply of natural gas. The challenge lies in the low permeability of shale, requiring large-scale volume fracturing to enhance connectivity. This study investigates the influence of a thin proppant layer on a single fracture and explores the effects of rock mineralogy, surface roughness, fluids, confining stress, time, temperature, and bedding on proppant embedment in Caney shale. The experiment revealed that fracture conductivity is primarily affected by proppant layer, roughness, mineralogy, fluids, temperature, and closure stress.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Allan Katende, Connor Allen, Jonny Rutqvist, Seiji Nakagawa, Mileva Radonjic
Summary: The current global energy supply is insufficient to meet the increasing demand, resulting in soaring energy prices. Shale oil and gas, although non-renewable, are relatively clean energy resources and still dominate the energy market. This paper investigates the stress-dependent changes in hydraulic conductivity and mechanical fracture-proppant interactions in Caney Shale, finding that proppant size is crucial for improving fracture conductivity.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Hafssa Tounsi, Jonny Rutqvist, Mengsu Hu, Ralf Wolters, Svetlana Lerche
Summary: Rock salt is a potential host for heat generating nuclear waste due to its self-sealing capacity, low permeability, and high thermal conductivity. The geologic disposal of larger-sized canisters originally designed for spent fuel storage and transportation is being considered as a cost-effective alternative; however, their long-term vertical movement and low-stress creep behavior need to be evaluated. Different creep models were compared and the results showed that models calibrated only against high-deviatoric stress data might lead to inaccurate estimations of canister movement in salt formations.
